Despite a huge public investment aimed at creating a high-tech economy, Florida continues to lag the nation in many measures of scientific prowess, the National Science Foundation said Thursday. Floridians are less educated than Americans as a whole, and Florida companies are far less likely to attract venture capital. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

South Florida pay went up 2.4 percent in 2013, higher than the 2 percent national average, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday. Only the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area had a higher increase in wages and salaries -- 3.5 percent -- last year, according to the federal agency that surveyed the nation's 15 largest communities. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida Trend Exclusive Valentine's adventures in Florida

Hang gliding at Wallaby Ranch

Adventurous couples looking to spice up their Valentine’s take to the sky for adventures in Florida. At this article, you'll find ideas such as hot air balloon rides for couples, hang gliding for two or trying the flying trapeze. We give prices and have website links for each adventure. More...

The Incredible Rise of Off-Peak Public Transportation

Metropolitan areas across the United States — whether their primary mass transit system is a metro rail or a commuter train or a bus network — are recognizing that city residents can't get by on great rush-hour service alone. They need frequent, reliable transit all hours of the day and long into the night. [Source: The Atlantic]

Enterprise Florida launches national television ad

Enterprise Florida is ramping up its national campaign to promote Florida as "the perfect business climate" and includes a 30-second television ad to be broadcast nationwide that features, among others, Gov. Rick Scott. The ad is part of a $1.25 million ad campaign and that includes a new website and a glossy wrap-around cover ad being attached to 1,000 copies of Fortune magazine that also features the governor. [Source: Times/Herald]

› Toyota lands naming rights at famed Daytona[AP] Toyota Motor Corp. on Thursday became the first company to land a naming rights deal at the revamped Daytona International Speedway. The Japanese automaker and International Speedway Corp., which owns the famous Florida track, announced the sponsorship deal at the Chicago Auto Show.

› Florida Cabinet meets at State Fair[AP] Gov. Rick Scott formally opened the Florida State Fair and held a cabinet meeting on the Tampa fairgrounds as a way to highlight the state's agricultural heritage.

› One year after debut, CNN Latino to close down[Tampa Bay Times] One year after its debut in Tampa and nationwide, CNN Latino is shutting down. The ambitious Spanish-language programming block, a CNN-affiliated gamble at winning America's flourishing Hispanic market, will end later this month.

› Floridians interested in governor’s race; Crist leads Scott by seven points[UF News] A poll of registered voters in Florida by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida in collaboration with UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research revealed high interest in Florida’s governor’s race, with 95 percent of likely voters reporting either “a great deal of interest” (66 percent) or “a fair amount of interest” (29 percent).

› Bill would legalize 'Charlotte's Web' pot in Florida[Orlando Sentinel] After a month of discussions, House Criminal Justice Chairman Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, filed a measure Thursday that would legalize a marijuana extract known as "Charlotte's Web" that proponents believe can dramatically reduce seizures in children with a rare form of epilepsy.